"Teaching your children to follow the prophet".
As I think about this topic my 1st thought is the fact that our children watch us and follow our actions, NOT what we SAY, but what we DO. Then my question to myself is when have I followed the prophet that was visible to my children.
When I was a Freshman at BYU my roommate and I were at the mall and we got our ears pierced with a 2nd hole. I never wore big earrings, just a tiny stud diamond in the 2nd hole. When I went home for Christmas that year my dad had a fit, but I was an adult so.... I kept the 2nd hole. In Nov. of 2000 Pres. Hinckley gave a talk to the youth of our church and he asked us to respect our body, reminding us that it is a temple. He asked us not to get tattoos and no body piercings (only one hole per ear for the women).
(Don't you just love how he would "carry" his cane and wave hello and good bye to us all!)
I admit at the time of this talk I was a little sad, but I obeyed. I removed the little diamond studs from my ear and that was that. I feel that that was a visible sign that I was following the prophet. I know my older boys remember this.
The 1st scripture to come to mind is Doctrine and Covenants 1:38.... "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. "
I just got this topic assigned to me this morning so I haven't had a lot of time to think about it, but I thought I would bring the topic to YOU and see if you have any thoughts.... I would LOVE to hear what you think!!! I would love any suggestions... quotes, scriptures, stories, anything that I can use! THANK YOU!
Her is our new sweet prophet.... you just have to love these men of God!
Brad's topic is "Cleaning up our lives"... any suggestions for him? Aren't we so very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is full of mercy???
Thank you my friends!
7 comments:
I remember that talk too and (sadly) removed my 2nd earing. I am glad I obeyed too although my kids were too young to even realize I had done this. Looks like you already have your talk done by the sounds of it! I will let you know if I think of more to add to it.
Your post made me think of two things (not for your talk, just random things). First, my sister also had two piercings and did not want to take her second earing out. She was at a parent teacher conference where she saw the teacher (in Utah) had removed her second earing. My sister said to her, "I see you are obeying the prophet and have removed your earing." The teacher responded, "I see you are not." She took hers out that day.
Second story--I read a story of how Joseph Fielding Smith was once driving home after a General Authority party and found himself behind a very slow moving David O. McKay. When it was suggested he go around, he responded, "That is President McKay and no one should pass the prophet!" I have always smiled at that. It gives "Follow the prophet" a new meaning.:-)
Good luck with your talk!
I only wish I could hear you speak. After reading this post I know you are going to do great!!
I too was sad at the 2nd hole earring having to go.
EVERYTHING you do teaches us to follow the prophet. The way you totally give everything to your callings, the way you text/email us inspirational thoughts all the time, The fact that you've given up other things to be a mother, That we have family prayr, that family time is so important to you, that you have pictures of the prophet in your home! seriously, everything you do teaches us to follow the prohphet! Dev and I wish we were going to be there to hear you guys speaK!!
My mom removed her 2nd (we had gotten them together!) right after this talk. I however did not, but I did notice that my mom was following the prophet. (i took mine out AFTER we got married... i know was dumb not to do it sooner!). An important thing to remember is that even though children may not follow the prophet 100% all the time, they do notice if we as parents do, and it is important that parents always share the prophets counsel via example with EVERY kid, no matter if they care to hear it or not.
ps - YOU are such a great example! xoxo
you're example and earing story fits nicely- it speaks volumes on this topic!
cleaning up our lives - also a great topic- i think people - like the frogs in the pot of boiling water- sometimes get acclimated to the filth around us - sad- and we need to take notice and clean up- rid ourselves of the filth.....
you'll do great!
I know you did great! I wish I could of heard it. If you have notes I would love if you shared them.. You have helped me to wnat to study more & learn more. I write down all the scriptures you share & then I look them up too.
And I also remember taking the 2nd earring out. It wasn't hard for me. I still see moms that just won't give the 2nd hole up. And it makes me sad that they are teaching their kids they don't have to follow the Prophet!
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